City elections in San Jose, California (2025)
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← 2024
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| 2025 San Jose elections |
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| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: January 10, 2025 |
| General election: April 8, 2025 Runoff election: June 24, 2025 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: City council |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2025 |
Anthony Tordillos defeated Gabby Chavez-Lopez in the June 24, 2025, special runoff election for San Jose City Council District 3.
The voter turnout in this election was 17.7%. In the regular election for the district held in 2022, the voter turnout was 54.6%.[1][2]
Before Tordillos was elected, moderates had a one-seat advantage, which included the temporary District 3 appointee, Carl Salas, who Tordillos replaced.[3] San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was a moderate, endorsed Tordillos in the runoff after initially endorsing Matthew Quevedo in the general election.[4] However, at the time of this writing, this didn't necessarily mean that moderates maintained their one-seat advantage with Tordillos' win because as KQED's Guy Marzorati wrote, "Tordillos is seen as more progressive than [Salas], but his status as a political newcomer with a broad coalition of support makes it difficult to predict how he might shift the City Council’s political alignment."[5]
Chavez-Lopez and Tordillos advanced to the runoff from the nonpartisan special general election on April 8, 2025. Chavez-Lopez received 30.0% of the vote and Tordillos received 22.2%. The two advanced to a runoff because neither received more than 50% of the vote. Tordillos advanced over third place-finisher, Quevedo, by six votes.
Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan) and Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.
A special election for District 3 was called after incumbent Omar Torres resigned in November 2024. Torres resigned after the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office charged him with three counts of child molestation.[6]
Politico's Dustin Gardiner and Blake Jones wrote that the election would "determine if progressives or moderates hold a majority on the City Council. Moderates have a one-seat advantage, and if progressives win the council runoff, it would complicate the mayor’s agenda (likely forcing him to take more policy measures to the ballot)."[7][8]
Mahan endorsed Tordillos. According to Politico, progressive groups and labor unions, such as South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, endorsed Chavez-Lopez.[7][9]
In a May 22, 2025, candidate forum hosted by the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and the San Jose Downtown Association, Chavez-Lopez and Tordillos said they would both vote against Mahan's proposal to arrest homeless people refusing shelter. Chavez-Lopez said she would vote against Mahan's pay for performance model for city employees, while Tordillos said he would support it.[10]
Chavez-Lopez was the executive director of Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley. Tordillos chaired the San Jose Planning Commission and was a software engineer for YouTube. An editorial in The Mercury News said, "Tordillos and Chavez-Lopez largely agree on San Jose’s issues. They both believe homelessness remains too rampant; housing, too expensive; building, too bureaucratic; downtown, too blighted; and the feeling of safety, too distant."[11] They differed on how to solve those issues. According to San Jose Spotlight, Chavez-Lopez said, "District 3 deserves a representative who knows the neighborhoods, understands the challenges firsthand and has a track record of delivering real results. I’m going to continue to meet voters where they are, listen to their concerns, and offer the proven leadership they’re looking for."[12] Tordillos said, "Mayor Mahan and I don’t agree on every issue. But coming from the world of tech, we share a belief that data should drive policy discussions, and elected officials should be evaluated by the results they deliver on housing, homelessness and crime."[12]
San Jose was the 10th most populous city in the country as of May 2025 and had a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council — which includes the mayor and is the city's primary legislative body — appoints a chief executive called a city manager to oversee day-to-day operations and implement the council's policy and legislative initiatives.[13]
Elections
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Candidates and results
General runoff election
Special general runoff election for San Jose City Council District 3
Anthony Tordillos defeated Gabby Chavez-Lopez in the special general runoff election for San Jose City Council District 3 on June 24, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan)  | 64.4 | 5,355 |
 | Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan) | 35.6 | 2,966 | |
| Total votes: 8,321 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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General election
Special general election for San Jose City Council District 3
The following candidates ran in the special general election for San Jose City Council District 3 on April 8, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan) | 30.0 | 2,712 |
| ✔ | | Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan) | 22.2 | 2,006 |
 | Matthew Quevedo (Nonpartisan) | 22.1 | 2,000 | |
 | Irene Smith (Nonpartisan) | 16.0 | 1,443 | |
 | Adam Duran (Nonpartisan) | 7.6 | 691 | |
 | Tyrone Wade (Nonpartisan) | 1.5 | 137 | |
| Philip Dolan (Nonpartisan) | 0.6 | 54 | ||
| Total votes: 9,043 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: California elections, 2025
May 6, 2025
November 4, 2025
- California Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment (2025)
- Municipal elections in Santa Clara County, California (2025)
- Santa Clara County, California, Measure A, Sales Tax Increase Measure (November 2025)
- Washington Township Health Care District, California, Measure B, Health Care Services Parcel Tax Measure (November 2025)
December 30, 2025
Comparison to previous election
The voter turnout in the 2025 special election was 17.7%. In the regular election for the district held in 2022, the voter turnout was 54.6%. The margin of victory (MOV) in the special election was 2,379 votes, which was closer than the 2022 MOV (5,550).[1][2]
Candidate comparision
Candidate profiles
This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "As a mother raising my son in this district, I understand firsthand the importance of safe streets, clean neighborhoods, and services that meet the needs of families. Whether it’s expanding community policing for safer neighborhoods, ensuring our parks are welcoming spaces for children, or addressing homelessness with compassion and accountability, I will work tirelessly to make District 3 a place where everyone feels secure and supported. After moving to District 3 over 22 years ago, I’ve lived, worked, and built deep connections in this district, dedicating my career to tackling our community’s biggest challenges. I’ve helped secure critical funding for affordable housing, supported small businesses to grow and thrive, and collaborated across sectors to bring meaningful change to our neighborhoods. I believe that city services should work for residents, and I will be relentless in advocating for better maintenance, smarter development, and stronger support systems to ensure every neighborhood in District 3 feels heard and cared for. This is a time for action, not excuses. Together, we can restore trust, improve the safety and quality of life for everyone, and ensure our city services rise to meet the needs of our community. I am ready to work tirelessly to make District 3 a better, safer, and more vibrant place for all of us."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for San Jose City Council District 3 in 2025.
Incumbent: No
Political Office: None
Submitted Biography: "I grew up in a working-class, low-income family. My dad, a machinist, lost his job due to chronic illness, and we ended up relying on disability insurance to get by. Thanks to quality public schools and a strong social safety net, I made it to Yale and became an engineer, helping build YouTube. There, I learned how to solve big problems: innovative ideas, data-driven decisions, and accountability. I took that approach to the Planning Commission, where I’ve worked to make it faster and cheaper to build affordable housing. As my neighborhood president, I’ve brought people together to clean up our streets, invest in public art, and foster community. At every step, I’ve demanded accountability from city staff, public officials, and, most importantly, for myself. I believe in what San José can accomplish with a fresh approach. Together, we will tackle public safety head-on, combat our affordability and homelessness crises, and end the excuses."
This information was current as of the candidate's run for San Jose City Council District 3 in 2025.
Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
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Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan)
San Jose has 1,153 active-duty police officers—far below the national average. We must align public safety resources with neighborhood needs, improving response times and community engagement. Expanding community policing, foot patrols, and business corridor protection will foster trust and safety. A comprehensive emergency response system, including mental health experts and crisis teams, is essential. Investing in modern technology will enhance efficiency. Finally, by supporting Beautify San Jose and tackling graffiti and blight, we can keep our streets clean and vibrant for all.
Addressing Homelessness Through Prevention & Intervention
San Jose must prioritize both short-term and permanent supportive housing, ensuring access to safe shelter with wraparound services like mental health care, addiction treatment, and job training. Strengthening eviction prevention efforts through rental assistance, legal aid, and emergency financial support can stop homelessness before it starts. Creating 24/7 crisis response teams will connect individuals to immediate housing and long-term recovery resources. Finally, true collaboration with county and state partners is essential to developing shared solutions and funding strategies for more effective, fiscally responsible outcomes.
Supporting Small Businesses & Revitalizing Downtown
Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan)
Homelessness: We need to move faster to address our homelessness crisis. I’ll push to construct quick-build shelter and invest in increasing mental healthcare and addiction treatment capacity to get folks off the streets and into care.
Public Safety: I will work to recruit and retain 100+ new police officers so everyone feels safe on our streets. I’ll also work to expand after-school and youth support programs that address the root causes of crime, and invest in non-police responder programs like TRUST to assist with calls involving mental health crises.
Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan)
Supporting Workforce Development to create equitable economic opportunities.
Advancing Civic Leadership & Engagement to uplift communities and drive systemic change.
Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan)
Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan)
Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan)
I remember feeling a mix of emotions—confusion at seeing so many people in tears, yet also a deep sense of unity, love, and pride. That day, I learned an important lesson: there is strength in numbers. The farmworker movement showed me that when people come together, organize around a unified mission, and fight for what is right, they can achieve incredible change. It also taught me the power of allyship—that standing in solidarity with those most impacted can make a real difference in improving lives and ensuring dignity for all.
This experience served as a foundational understanding for my career from that point forward. As much as I am focused on supporting individuals, I will always know that it’s in our collective power where we find our true strength. That lesson of community and solidarity continues to guide my work and my commitment to creating lasting, positive change.
Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan)
Gabby Chavez-Lopez (Nonpartisan)
South Bay Labor Council Democratic Activists for Women Now! (DAWN) League of Conservation Voters Teamsters Local 350 AFSCME Local 101 CA Working Families Party IFPTE Local 21 San Jose Firefighters Local 230 Planned Parenthood Mar Monte SEIU 2015 SEIU 521 South Bay Progressive Alliance Ash Kalra, California State Assembly, 27th District Dave Cortese, California State Senate, 15th District Susan Ellenberg, Supervisor of Santa Clara County, District 4 Betty Duong, Supervisor of Santa Clara County, District 2
and many more. Please check out our website for full list.
Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan)
Operating Engineers Local 3 Equality California LGBTQ+ Victory Fund BAYMEC Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte Housing Action Coalition Silicon Valley Young Democrats Santa Clara County Supervisor (fmr.) Ken Yeager Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Jorge Pacheco Jr Mountain View Councilmember & Former Mayor Lucas Ramirez Mountain View Councilmember Emily Ann Ramos Cupertino Councilmember & Former Vice Mayor J.R. Fruen Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Moore Palo Alto Councilmember George Lu Palo Alto Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims Sunnyvale Councilmember Richard Mehlinger Oak Grove School District Trustee Diego Martinez
Cupertino Union School District Trustee Ava Chiao
Anthony Tordillos (Nonpartisan)
Voting information
What was the voter registration deadline?
- In-person: June 9, 2025
- By mail: Received by June 9, 2025
- Online: June 9, 2025
What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?
- In-person: June 24, 2025
- By mail: Postmarked by June 24, 2025
Was early voting available to all voters? Yes
What were the early voting start and end dates? May 26, 2025 - June 23, 2025
Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? No
When were polls open on Election Day? 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Endorsements
Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.
Campaign finance
Candidates in this election submitted campaign finance reports to the City of San Jose. Click here to access those reports.
Election history
San Jose City Council District 3 election history
2022
General election
San Jose City Council general election, 2022 | |
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| Office | Candidates |
| District 3 |
Irene Smith  Omar Torres |
Primary
San Jose City Council primary, 2022 | |
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| Office | Candidates |
| District 3 |
Elizabeth Chien-Hale Joanna Rauh Irene Smith Ivan Torres Omar Torres |
2018
General election
San Jose City Council general elections | |
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| Office | Candidates |
| District 3 |
Raul Peralez (i) |
2014
District 3
Note: Incumbent Sam Liccardo did not run for re-election.
- June 3 Primary election candidates:
November 4 General election candidates:
2025 battleground elections
- See also: Battlegrounds
This was a battleground election. Other 2025 battleground elections included:
- Mayoral election in Seattle, Washington (2025)
- Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, 2025
- Mayoral election in Boston, Massachusetts (2025)
Help inform our readers
Take our candidate survey
- See also: Survey
At Ballotpedia, we believe that everyone deserves meaningful, reliable, trustworthy information about their candidates. We also know that good information—especially at the local level—is hard to find. That's why Ballotpedia created Candidate Connection.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Our survey helps voters better understand how their candidates think about the world and how they intend to govern—information they need to feel confident they're picking the best person for the role.
If you are a candidate, take our survey here. Or you can ask a candidate to take the survey by sharing the link with them.
Submit endorsements
Endorsements can be particularly helpful for voters trying to decide between candidates in local races, which often feature nonpartisan candidates. Endorsements from individuals and organizations can help voters better understand policy differences between candidates in these cases where little or no other news coverage of policy stances exists.
Candidates, share endorsements here. Readers, share endorsements you know about here.
About the city
- See also: San Jose, California
San Jose is a city in Santa Clara County, California. As of 2020, its population was 1,013,240.
City government
- See also: Council-manager government
The city of San Jose uses a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council—which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body—appoints a chief executive called a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and implement the council's policy and legislative initiatives.[13]
Demographics
The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.
| Demographic Data for San Jose, California | ||
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | California | |
| Population | 1,013,240 | 39,538,223 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 178 | 155,857 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 37.5% | 56.1% |
| Black/African American | 2.9% | 5.7% |
| Asian | 37.2% | 14.8% |
| Native American | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Other (single race) | N/A | 14.3% |
| Multiple | 7.9% | 7.9% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 31% | 39.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 85% | 83.9% |
| College graduation rate | 44.8% | 34.7% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $117,324 | $78,672 |
| Persons below poverty level | 8.3% | 12.6% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
See also
| San Jose, California | California | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Santa Clara County, CA, "Results," accessed June 28, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Santa Clara County, CA, "City of San Jose, District 3 Council Member," accessed June 28, 2025
- ↑ Sanjoseinside, "Engineering Exec Carl Salas Wins Appointment to Vacant San Jose City Council Seat," January 28, 2025
- ↑ Politico, "GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL: Assembly Dems keep scoring for Republicans," May 2, 2025
- ↑ KQED, "Tordillos Cites Desire for ‘New Type of Politics in San José’ in Apparent Council Win," June 25, 2025
- ↑ KQED, "Omar Torres Faces 3 Felonies, Including Child Molestation," November 6, 2024
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Politico, "Newsom goes to the mat on Trump’s tariffs," April 16, 2025
- ↑ Sanjoseinside, "Engineering Exec Carl Salas Wins Appointment to Vacant San Jose City Council Seat," January 28, 2025
- ↑ San Jose Spotlight, "UPDATE: San Jose mayor endorses Anthony Tordillos for City Council," May 2, 2025
- ↑ ABC7, "SJ District 3 councilmember candidates share visions for future of downtown ahead of runoff election," May 23, 2025
- ↑ The Mercury News, "Editorial: Two candidates vie for downtown San Jose council seat. One stands out." May 16, 2025
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 San Jose Spotlight, "Here are the top two contenders in San Jose’s special election," April 28, 2025
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 City of San Jose, "Office of the City Manager," accessed May 26, 2025 Cite error: Invalid
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